CARDIFF must not forget the suburbs in its quest to transform the city centre, the man at the helm of one of South Wales’ last family-owned high street firms has warned.

Robert Maskrey, owner of the iconic furniture store Maskreys, recently announced the home furniture company would close next month after 112 years. The 70-year-old’s flagship store has been packed with shoppers this week hoping to grab a bargain at the £2m closing and retirement sale.

More than 7,500 customers brought the streets around the Whitchurch Road shop to a standstill during invitation-only days on Wednesday and Thursday.

Yesterday, Manor Street was closed and a pair of Police Community Support Officers placed outside the store as the sale was opened to the general public.

It is the type of shopping frenzy Mr Maskrey said he feared could be a thing of the past. While he said he believed the arrival of John Lewis had created healthy competition, the businessman said retail giants had also driven independent shops out of the city.

“The city has fallen down very badly in not protecting the suburban shopping centres,” Mr Maskrey said. “In some cases it has driven niche retailers out of town, which I find very sad because you need a balance to give the city identity.”

Mr Maskrey said parking was the biggest issue for traders in the suburbs.

Maskreys will shut its doors at the end of November, but will continue trading until March to complete all of its orders.